Larson beats Anderson for commission

Republican Jim Larson defeated Democrat Norman Anderson by 2,893 votes in the race for Cascade County Commission in Tuesday's election, based on unofficial results.

With 100 percent of the votes counted, Larson had 14,036 votes to Anderson's 11,143.

"We're really pleased," Larson said at 11:30 p.m. "We worked hard, and I had a good team. We got our message out the way we liked, and we thank the voters of Cascade County."

Larson, a rancher and farmer from Belt, pitched his rural roots in his campaign, saying he had lived and worked in the county for most of his life and had used nearly all of the county departments.

With victory in hand late Tuesday, Larson said that message was well received by voters.

With the outcome still uncertain earlier in the evening, Larson said he had "been quite nervous," but remained cautiously optimistic.

Anderson spent the evening at Celtic Cowboy.

"At this point, it doesn't look good for me," he said at 8:45 p.m.

Democrats currently hold a 2-1 advantage on the commission, but that will reverse in favor of Republicans with Larson's victory.

The term is for six years, and the job pays $60,724 a year.

It was Larson's second try for the seat. Four years ago, he lost a close race to Democrat Bill Salina, who did not seek a second term.

Larson said he never lost the fire to win a seat on the commission, prompting another run.

During the campaign, Larson said rural residents told him the top issue was the condition of roads, while residents of Great Falls said they wanted to have better experiences at Montana ExpoPark, the county's events and entertainment center.

He said commissioners are ambassadors for the county, and that he has the personality to carry out those kinds of duties.

Anderson, a retired social studies teacher with Great Falls Public Schools, said he was running because he has long been interested in government.

Previously, he limited his participation in government to maintain a neutral position in the American government classes he taught, he said.

During his campaign, Anderson said his overriding concern was how to deliver maximum services on a limited budget.

He said his teaching background gave him 40 years of experience in problem-solving and working in collaborative capacities.